Jose Gonzalez
In Our Nature
Imperial Recordings
By Kevin Hakansson
Hushed. Unassuming. Minimal.
These are all words you may have read, or even thought, about Jose Gonzalez. In fact, all three of those words would be, in part, an accurate assessment of the Swedish superstar’s music. However, they don’t tell the whole story about the PhD candidate turned international guitar hero. While the majority of Gonzalez’ songs rely almost solely on his voice and acoustic guitar, they’re more than mere folk songs. Gonzalez’s emergence provides the listening public with one of the freshest takes on what an acoustic singer/songwriter can be.
In Our Nature is Gonzalez’ second full-length, the follow up to 2006’s Veneer. Though Veneer made its debut just last year, it’s been available in Europe since 2003. In the meantime, Gonzalez has been building a reputation as one of the most impressive solo-touring artists around. In Our Nature further reinforces such a reputation.
“How Low” is a rather appropriate opener. Truthfully, it’s not exactly the kind of song that draws the listener into the album, and it’s by no means the most inviting, accessible track here. However, that almost seems to be the point. Gonzalez and his guitar are alone on this tune that chastises a self-absorbed subject. The song is rather bleak, really. Perhaps just what Gonzalez wants you to expect.
Next, though, is “Down The Line,” a song that gives the album a bit more forward motion. Though it seems that perhaps the same sinning subject remains from the opener, the tempo here is a bit quicker, with some auxiliary percussion providing a major feel change. A group of backup vocalists also add a lot of oomph to Gonzalez’s lo-fi vocals. “Killing For Love” keeps the pace up; despite its stripped down instrumentation, it’s not hard to hear the basic structure of this tune and tell how easily it might translate to a bass-driven club song.
It doesn’t take long, though, for Gonzalez to remind listeners of what beautiful songs he’s capable of, crafting with such a simple formula. Despite a fairly repetitive vocal and guitar line, “Teardrop” is perhaps the most alluring song on In Our Nature, supported by Gonzalez’ typically subdued, barely intelligible lyrics, and the chime-like backing percussion. “Time To Send Someone Away” provides more of the same, with Gonzalez’ melodic vocal line reminiscent of Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, a comparison that would fit in several places throughout the record.
While Gonzalez keeps most of the songs from In Our Nature short and to the point, he does take a moment to showcase his beautiful guitar playing on the closing “Cycling Trivialities.” His soothing strumming outro ends the album as tranquilly as possible, and cements this record as a great one to fall asleep to (in a good way).
Though Gonzalez’s big break came when his cover of The Knife’s “Heartbeats” (off of Veneer) became an internet hit, it’s obvious that he doesn’t need to rely on others’ songs to make his own living. While it’s his intriguing voice and skilled guitar work that will initially draw listeners in, his songwriting is equally as strong. His talents are stunning, prompting any coherent listener to hope that this former doctoral candidate has switched professions for good.
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